Simon grabbed her wrists. “Ethel, calm down.”

“Calm down!” Ethel’s scream could shatter glass. “Did you pay her? Did you send her money?”

“No, he didn’t.” June’s voice was kind but firm. “I took care of Noah on my own. Simon’s never even met him. We didn’t have contact with anyone in your family before Darius found us.”

Ethel turned on Darius. Wide, wet streaks dampened his mother’s face. Her eyes were red and puffy. She pointed a finger at him. “You. Did you bring them here to humiliate me?”

Darius shook his head, hating the pain he was causing her. “No, Mom. That wasn’t my intent.”

Ethel continued to glare at him. “Then what did you hope to accomplish?”

Darius pushed his fists into the front pockets of his pants. “Dad’s plan to run for public office should be a family decision. Noah is family.” He held Simon’s gaze. “He’s my brother and your son. You may not have acknowledged him, but I don’t want him hurt if the media finds out about him.”

Simon snorted. “The Monitor is the only paper that’s going to cover the mayoral race. And you’re not going to say anything that could embarrass your own family.”

“I’m not the only reporter at the paper.” Darius crossed his arms. “Opal Gutierrez interviewed you when you announced your petition. She’d love to get her hands on this story.”

“Tell her you want to cover it.” Simon shrugged.

Darius dragged a hand over his close-cropped hair. “That’s sure to make her suspicious. And I’m not going to hide Noah for you. It’s time you acknowledged him.”

Ethel stuck her finger in Simon’s face. “I’m through with your bullshit. I’m through with being humiliated by you because you can’t keep your dick in your pants. I told you before that if you run for mayor, I’m leaving you. Well, that’s just what I’m going to do now.”

His mother spun and raced up the stairs. Simon stood and watched her. “Ethel!”

Darius gestured toward the staircase. “Aren’t you going after her?”

Simon shrugged. “Your mother’s too damn emotional. Give her time to cool off. She’s not going anywhere.”

June adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder. “Frankly, Simon, I can’t believe she’s stayed with you as long as she has. You’re a piece of work.”

Simon reared his head in surprise. “What does that mean?”

“It means you’re a pig.” June sighed. “I knew you were never going to be part of Noah’s life. You made that extremely clear. The only reason we’re here is that he was curious about you.”

“He’s grown up well. He looks just like me.” Simon’s gaze was fixated on Noah.

“Any resemblance is only skin deep. Noah’s a good and decent person.” She crossed the room and got right in Simon’s face. “If one harsh word about my son shows up in any paper, TV, or radio in connection with you running for mayor, I will come back to Trinity Falls and peel the skin off your ass like an orange.”

Darius didn’t doubt June’s threat. Apparently, neither did Simon.

After a moment’s consideration, his father nodded. “All right. I’ll withdraw my petition.”

“Good.” June turned to Noah. “Has your curiosity been satisfied?”

Noah pulled his gaze from Simon. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Take us home, Darius.” June started toward the front door as though she expected Darius and Noah to follow her.

&nb

sp; “Wait.” Simon looked Noah up and down. “You must be about seventeen now.”

“Yes, sir.” Noah stood awkwardly in front of the father he’d met for the first time in his life just minutes ago.

Darius moved to stand beside his younger brother.

Simon spared his oldest son a glance before returning his attention to Noah. “What college are you going to?”

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